Reel for web material

ABSTRACT

A reel for web material, including two spaced opposed flange members, is provided with a hub member which has an outer tubular portion supporting the flange members and an inner core portion disposed within the first-mentioned portion in radially spaced relation. An opening in the core is adapted to receive a drive spindle for rotation of the reel. A flexibly movable finger member of the reel hub is supported, in a cantilevered manner, within a core slot which communicates with the core opening. This finger member has a cam detent which is adapted to impart flexing movement to the finger member and to engage an engageable portion of the drive spindle for securing the reel on such spindle. Since the cam detent is disposed at a location which is substantially midway between the reel flanges, reels of the foregoing kind having different flange member spacing for supporting various width webs can be respectively located on the drive spindle in a manner whereby the longitudinal center line or each supported web will be disposed in the same position with respect to such spindle.

United States Patent [191 Brown et al.

[5 REEL FOR WEB MATERIAL [57] ABSTRACT Inventors; Gordon Brown, 36 Solman DR, A reel for web material, including two spaced opposed Rochester; f Mcclal'e, 47 flange members, is provided with a hub member which wincanton, P31113011, both of has an outer tubular portion supporting the flange [22] Filed; July 26 1971 members and an inner core portion disposed within the first-mentioned portion -in radially spaced relation. PP N05 166,050 An opening in the core is adapted to receive a drive spindle for rotation of the reel. A flexibly movable [52] US. Cl.... ..242/68.3, 242/7 1.8 fi g member of the reel hub is pp in a cantil- [51] Int. Cl. ..B65h 19/02 evered manner, within a core Slot which commu- [58] Field of Search ..242/7l.8, 71.8 A, nicates with the core opening. This finger member has 242/683, 68, 118.4; 197/175; 287/53 H a cam detent which is adapted to impart flexing movement to the finger member and to engage an engagea- [56] References Cited ble portion of the drive spindle for securing the reel on such spindle. Since the cam detent is disposed at a UNITED STATES PATENTS location which is substantially midway between the 3,486,709 12/1969 Robersonnnr ..242/71.8A reel flanges, reels of the foregoing kind having dif- 2,889,123 6/1959 Hayden..... ferent flange member spacing for supporting various 1,041,]84 10/1912 Spiro ..242/68.3

Primary ExaminerGeorge F. Mautz Assistant Examiner-Edward J. McCarthy Att0mey-W. H. J. Kline and Roger A. Fields width webs can be respectively located on the drive spindle in a manner whereby the longitudinal center line or each supported web will be disposed in the same position with respect to such spindle.

3 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures Patented May 29, 1973 3,735,941

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 2

GORDON F. BROWN ANDREW V. MCCLARE INVENTORS By w wwgsmp ATTORNEYS Patented May 29, 1973 3,735,941

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 eonoon R BROWN- ANDREW v. McCLARE INVENIORS ATTORNEYS REEL FOR WEB MATERIAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to difi'erent width reels (i.e. reels having different flange member spacing) on which corresponding width strips of web material can be wound and, more particularly, to different width reels which are adapted to be supported on a spindle in a manner such that the longitudinal center line of each wound strip (regardless of width) will be disposed at the same location with respect to the spindle. Moreover, this invention relates to a mounting for securing different width reels respectively on a spindle, in the foregoing manner.

2. Description of the Prior Art As is well known in the art, a difficulty encountered in using photographic apparatus for copying documents arises from nonuniformity in document size resulting in the desirability of utilizing several optical systems to vary the image reduction ratio and/or to utilize different width film recording strips. This permits an operator of the photographic apparatus to select the combination of optical system and width of filmstrip which will make use of the maximum area on the filmstrip for recording the image of a given size document. This feature is almost mandatory in photocomposing devices such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,738,704, which issued on Mar. 20, 1956. That photocomposing device is of the kind which automatically photographs the printed matter located in discrete areas of previously prepared information-bearing cards which are rapidly advanced through the exposure station in such device. It will be readily appreciated that in this kind of device, the desirability of varying the size and/or length of the printed matter on the cards frequently arises, and in such instances different widths of filmstrip are required.

With apparatus of the known prior art, a change in width of the filmstrip was not easily made for the reason that it was necessary to remove and replace the spindle on which a particular width film reel was mounted with a spindle which would accept and facilitate positioning of a different width film reel. Moreover, this change was to be effected in a manner whereby the longitudinal center line of the filmstrip on the different width reel would occupy the same position formerly occupied by the longitudinal center line of the filmstrip on the replaced film reel. This operation was thus both laborious and time consuming.

It can therefore be appreciated, in view of the foregoing example, that a mounting which permits different width reels for corresponding width webs to be supported on a spindle so that the longitudinal center line of each web (regardless of width) is disposed in the same position with respect to the spindle (without the necessity of removing and replacing the spindle) is quite desirable. One such mounting which achieves this result is disposed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,889,123, which issued on June 2, 1959. In this mounting, a spindle is provided with a series of stepped annular shoulders, each shoulder having a diameter permitting abutment with a flange member of one specific width reel to thereby locate the longitudinal center line of the different width webs in the same position with respect to the spindle. However, this spindle, in addition to the stepped shoulders, includes a separately formed spring and detent which are connected to the spindle for the purpose of respectively securing the different width reels on the spindle. More specifically, the detent is pivotally mounted on the spindle and spring biased for engagement with a tab on each of the difierent width reels.

Another such mounting is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,220,610, which issued on Nov. 5, 1940. In this mounting, the hub member of a reel is provided with a spring biased, radially inwardly directed, movable detent which is located midway between the opposite ends of the hub member. A recess in the spindle is adapted to receive the detent for the purpose of securing the reel on the spindle. Here again, as in the mounting disclosed in US. Pat. No. 2,889,123, the detent and the spring are separately manufactured articles which are subsequently assembled.

It will thus be seen that a need exists for a simplified reel and spindle mounting. Such a mounting could, for example, include a detent member which is integrally formed with the reel and adapted to cooperate with an engageable portion of the spindle for securing the reel on the spindle so that the longitudinal center line of a web wound on the reel will be disposed at the same position with respect to the spindle regardless of the corresponding web and reel widths. Moreover, it can be seen that a need exists for a detent member which is improved so as not to rely on a separate spring for movement to engage the spindle. This detent member could, for example, be resiliently flexible and integrally formed with the reel hub.

SUIWMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a simplified and improved mounting for securing any one of several different width reels on a spindle.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a reel and spindle mounting wherein any one of several different width reels can be supported on a spindle for rotation therewith and, regardless of the width reel which is supported on the spindle, the longitudinal center line of a web wound on such supported reel will occupy the same position with respect to the spindle.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a reel on which web material can be wound and which is adapted to be supported on a spindle in a manner such that, regardless of the reel width, the longitudinal center line of a wound web will occupy the same position with respect to the spindle.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a reel construction for accomplishing the foregoing objectives and which is readily and inexpensively fabricatable.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is disclosed hereinafter a reel for web material including two spaced opposed flange members and a hub member which supports the flange members in their spaced relation. The reel hub is provided with an opening adapted to receive a drive spindle for rotation of the reel. A flexibly movable finger member of the reel hub is supported, in a cantilevered manner, within a hub slot which communicates with the hub opening. This finger member has a cam detent which is adapted to impart flexing movement to the finger member and to engage an engageable portion of the drive spindle for securing the reel on such spindle. Since the cam detent is disposed at a location which is substantially midway between the reel flanges, reels of the foregoing kind having different flange member spacing for supporting various width webs can be respectively located on the drive spindle in a manner whereby the longitudinal center line of each supported web will be disposed in the same position with respect to such spindle.

According to a further, optional, feature of the foregoing reel, the hub member is provided with an outer tubular portion which supports the flange members and with an inner core portion which is disposed within the tubular portion in radially spaced relation. The hub opening, adapted to receive the drive spindle for rotation of the reel, is disposed in the core portion. Therefore, the torque effected by the drive spindle is absorbed by the core porn'on and will not be transmitted to the reel flanges since such flanges are separated from the core portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above-mentioned and other features and objects of the present invention and the manner of obtaining them will become more apparent by reference to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of such invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a reel for web material in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing a portion of the reel broken away to best illustrate certain details of the reel;

FIG. 2 is an underside view of the reel depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a section view of the reel as viewed along the line 33 in FIG. 2, further showing the reel mounted on a spindle for rotation therewith; and

FIGS. 4, and 6 are perspective views of three different kinds of spindles with which the reel is adapted to be used.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The phrase center plane as used hereinafter with reference to a reel of the kind including a hub member and spaced opposed flange members is intended to define that plane which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of such reel and equally distant from the reel flanges.

Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 1, there is shown a reel 1 including a hub member 2 on the opposite ends of which are disposed generally circular flange members 3 and 4 in substantially parallel, spaced opposed relation. The reel hub 2 has an outer tubular portion 5 supporting the reel flanges 2 and 3 and an inner core portion 6 concentrically located within the tubular portion and radially spaced inwardly from the last-mentioned portion. A ring-like base portion 7 of the reel hub 2 supports the outer and inner hub portions 5 and 6 in their spaced relation so that an open, annular channel 8 is thereby defined. As can best be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the hub core 6 is provided with an outer annular wall 9 and a spaced inner wall 10 having a substantially square cross-sectional configuration which defines an elongate opening or bore 11 in the hub core. The opening 11 is uniformly disposed about the longitudinal axis of the reel 1 and, as will be described hereinafter, is adapted to receive any one of several different kinds of spindles on which the reel may be respectively secured for rotation. A key channel 12, defined by two spaced opposed extensions 13 and 14 of the hub core inner wall 10, facilitates securing the reel 1 on those kinds of spindles which include a key member.

A slot 15 on the outer hub portion 5 of the reel 1 is disposed in radial alignment with openings 16 and 17 in the reel flanges 3 and 4, see FIGS. 1 and 2. This slot 15 is of dimensions suitable for the receipt of web material (not shown). Accordingly, to thread web material onto the reel 1, a leading web end is passed in edgegiiding relation between the reel flanges 3 and 4 into the slot 15 and thence into the annular channel 8. Upon rotation of the reel 1 in a winding direction by an appropriate device (not shown), the web material is wound about the outer hub portion 5 between the reel flanges 3 and 4 so as to cinch or snub the web to such hub portion.

Considering now three examples of the previously mentioned spindles on which the reel 1 is adapted to be supported for rotation, there is shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, drive spindles 18, 19 and 20, the first of which has a substantially square cross-sectional configuration and the remaining two of which have a substantially circular cross-sectional configuration. Each of the spindles 18, 19 and 20 is of dimensions suitable to be received in the hub core opening 11 of the reel 1 in the manner illustrated by FIG. 3 and is provided with a collar base 21, 22 and 23 on which the reel can be seated. Although not shown, the collar bases 21, 22 and 23 are preferably adjustable along the spindles 18, 19 and 20 to accommodate difierent width reels. Peripheral recesses or grooves 24, 2S and 26, the significance of which will become apparent hereinafter, are located between the opposite ends of the spindles 18, 19 and 20. One of the spindles 20 difiers from the other two spindles 18 and 19 in that the spindle 20 is further provided with a key member 27 which is adapted to be received in the key channel 12 of the reel 1.

Referring again to the details of the reel 1, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the inner wall 10 of the hub core 6 is provided with a slot 28 which extends through the previously described center plane of the reel. A finger member 29 of the hub core 6, having an elongate member portion 30 flexibly movable within the slot 28 and a cam detent 31 disposed substantially perpendicular to the elongate portion at a free end thereof, is supported within the slot by the hub core inner wall 10. This finger member 29 is supported within the slot 28 in a cantilevered manner such that the cam detent 31 lies midway between the reel flanges 3 and 4 and is movable in the center plane of the reel 1 towards and away from the longitudinal axis of such reel. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the cam detent 31 extends radially inwardly toward the reel axis and is of sufficient radial extent and appropriate surface configuration to be received in each of the peripheral recesses 24, 25 and 26 of the spindles 18, 19 and 20 upon receipt of such spindles respectively in the hub core opening 11.

Accordingly, upon first placing the reel 1 on any one of the spindles 18, 19 and 20, the cam detent 31 will abut against the spindle surface so as to be slightly moved outwardly away from the reel axis (together with the resiliently flexible finger member portion 30) against the normal urging force of the last-mentioned portion. When a spindle is fully received in the hub core opening 11, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the cam detent 31 will be moved back to such illustrated position by the normal urging force of the finger member portion 30 and there will be so held in tight abutment against the spindle at the spindle recess. Upon rotation of the spindle by an appropriate device (not shown), the driving torque effected by such rotating spindle will be absorbed by the hub core 6 and will not be transmitted to the reel flanges 3 and 4, since these flanges are separated from the hub core by the annular channel 8. Furthermore, since the cam detent 31 is disposed in the center plane of the reel 1 and is thus located midway between the reel flanges 3 and 4, reels of the foregoing kind having different flange member spacing, i.e. different width, for supporting corresponding width webs can be mounted on any one of the spindles 18, 19 and 20 in a manner whereby the center plane of each reel so mounted (and necessarily the longitudinal center line of a web wound on such reel) will occupy the same position with respect to the spindle. This lastmentioned feature is illustrated in FIG. 3 which shows the reel 1 in full line and another reel 1 in broken line. The reel 1 is identical to the reel 1 but for a smaller width dimension. However, each of the reels 1 and 1' can be supported on the spindle 19 (or the spindles 18 and 20) with the center planes of the different width reels in the same position with respect to the spindle.

A further feature of the present invention, which now becomes apparent, is that the reel 1 preferably comprises a single unitary form and, therefore, need not be assembled piece-wise as in the previously described prior art instances. Moreover, the reel 1 may be secured on a spindle in either of two orientations. That is to say, the reel 1 may be secured on the spindles 18, 19 and 20 so that either one of the reel flanges 3 or 4 is disposed in contiguous relation with the spindle collars 21, 22 and 23, see FIG. 3. It will likewise be appreciated that the reel 1 is adapted for use with several different kinds of spindles. For example, the cam detent 31 on the finger member 29 serves to secure the reel 1 on each of the spindles 18, 19 and 20 for synchronous rotation respectively therewith. It is to be observed, however, that the key member 27 of the spindle 20 and the substantially square cross-sectional configuration of the spindle 18 also serve to secure the reel 1 for such rotation.

While there has been illustrated only two difi'erent width reels land 1 which are alternatively mountable on three kinds of spindles 18, 19 and 20, from the foregoing description, it is evident that the present invention permits any one of numerous different width reels to be supported on each of the spindles for rotation therewith, and that regardless of which width reel is supported on the spindle, the center plane of each supported reel (and necessarily the longitudinal center line of a web wound on such reel) will occupy the same position with respect to the spindle. Of course, it is to be understood in such instances, that the wound web would have a width which is substantially the same as the distance between the flange members of the supported reel.

The present invention has been described in considerable detail with particular reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of such invention.

We claim:

1. A reel adapted for use with a spindle including an engageable portion, said reel comprising:

a hub member having a longitudinal axis and a plane disposed substantially perpendicular to said hub member axis; and

a pair of flange members axially disposed on said hub member in spaced opposed relation at locating respectively equidistant from said hub member plane;

said hub member including:

a. means defining an opening extending along said hub member and about said hub member axis for receiving such a spindle;

b. means defining a slot in said opening defining means;

0. a finger member including an elongate portion flexibly movable within said slot and a cam detent adapted to impart flexing movement to said finger member and to engage the engageable portion of such a spindle; and

d. means supporting said finger member within said slot, in a cantilevered manner, such that said cam detent is movable in said hub member plane toward said hub member axis for engagement with the em gageable portion of a spindle received in said openmg.

2. A reel adapted for use with a spindle including an engageable portion defined by a peripheral recess, said reel comprising:

a hub member having a longitudinal axis and a plane disposed substantially perpendicular to said hub member axis; and

a pair of flange members axially disposed on said hub member in spaced opposed relation at locations respectively equidistant from said hub member plane;

said hub member including:

a. means defining an opening, disposed about said hub member axis and extending through said hub member plane, for receiving such a spindle;

b. means defining a slot in said opening defining means disposed to extend through said hub member plane;

0. a finger member including an elongate portion flexibly movable within said slot and a cam detent disposed in angular relation to said elongate portion and adapted to impart flexing movement to said finger member and to be received in the recess defining the engageable portion of such a spindle for engagement with the last-mentioned portion; and

d. means supporting said finger member within said slot, in a cantilevered manner, such that said cam detent is movable in said hub member plane toward said hub member axis for engagement with the engageable portion of a spindle received in said openmg.

3. A reel as recited in claim 2, wherein said elongate portion includes a free end and said cam detent is located adjacent said free end.

I i F i i PatentNo- 3,735.,941 D te May 29G, 1973 Inventor(s) Gordon P, Brown and Andrew V McClmw It is certified that error appears in the I aboveidentified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column '1 line 5, assignee should be listed as -=-Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, New York a Column 6, line 9, claim 'l,- change "locating" to --lo'cations=-- Signed arid sealed this 25th day of December 1973.,

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. RENE D. TEGTMEYER Attesting Officer Acting Commissioner of Patents 

1. A reel adapted for use with a spindle including an engageable portion, said reel comprising: a hub member having a longitudinal axis and a plane disposed substantially perpendicular to said hub member axis; and a pair of flange members axially disposed on said hub member in spaced opposed relation at locations respectively equidistant from said hub member plane; said hub member including: a. means defining an opening extending along said hub member and about said hub member axis for receiving such a spindle; b. means defining a slot in said opening defining means; c. a finger member including an elongate portion flexibly movable within said slot and a cam detent adapted to impart flexing movement to said finger member and to engage the engageable portion of such a spindle; and d. means supporting said finger member within said slot, in a cantilevered manner, such that said cam detent is movable in said hub member plane toward said hub member axis for engagement with the engageable portion of a spindle received in said opening.
 2. A reel adapted for use with a spindle including an engageable portion defined by a peripheral recess, said reel comprising: a hub member having a longitudinal axis and a plane disposed substantially perpendicular to said hub member axis; and a pair of flange members axiallY disposed on said hub member in spaced opposed relation at locations respectively equidistant from said hub member plane; said hub member including: a. means defining an opening, disposed about said hub member axis and extending through said hub member plane, for receiving such a spindle; b. means defining a slot in said opening defining means disposed to extend through said hub member plane; c. a finger member including an elongate portion flexibly movable within said slot and a cam detent disposed in angular relation to said elongate portion and adapted to impart flexing movement to said finger member and to be received in the recess defining the engageable portion of such a spindle for engagement with the last-mentioned portion; and d. means supporting said finger member within said slot, in a cantilevered manner, such that said cam detent is movable in said hub member plane toward said hub member axis for engagement with the engageable portion of a spindle received in said opening.
 3. A reel as recited in claim 2, wherein said elongate portion includes a free end and said cam detent is located adjacent said free end. 